Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has seen his side lose their opening three Premier League games, without scoring, piling the pressure on the under-fire Spaniard
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Arteta warns fans Arsenal project will ‘take some time’
Arsenal technical director Edu has suggested that under-fire boss Mikel Arteta will only be judged once his much changed squad is up to full fitness.
The Gunners were the top spenders in the Premier League during the most recent window, forking out more than £150million on six new arrivals.
But that outlay hasn’t led to immediate results with Arteta’s squad rooted to the bottom of the table after three defeats on the spin, with no goals scored and nine conceded.
That has seen the Spaniard come under increasing scrutiny coming off the back of the season that saw the Gunners miss out on European football.
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But Edu is insistent that both the manager and the club’s summer transfer business shouldn’t be judged until all of the players are able to be called upon.
So far this season, Arteta has been without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Ben White for periods of time after testing positive Covid.
There have also been injuries to the likes of Gabriel and Thomas Partey, while Bukayo Saka continues to ramp up his fitness following his exploits at Euro 2020.
Arteta recently described the injury situation as “unprecedented in the history of this club” and Edu seemingly agrees.
Asked about how patient the owners will be in light of the torrid start to the season, Edu told Sky Sports: “They already know 100 per cent what we are doing because we report to them what the plan is and how we are going to operate the plan and how we are going to be this season.
“They already know and want to see the squad playing together. We want to see them playing together. Mikel wants to see them playing together.
“Mikel was happy the other day when he had two or three players starting to train again.
“He wants to see everyone fit and I hope everyone without Covid is back. Then it is fair to judge us.”
Arsenal face Norwich and Burnley immediately after the break and will see it as the perfect opportunity to kickstart their Premier League campaign.
“To be fair, we have had three games and I haven’t seen the team playing together yet,” Edu continued.
“I want to see the signings and I want to see the squad prepare. All three games we have played against Brentford, Chelsea and Manchester City, unfortunately we have had some difficult moments in terms of Covid and injuries.
“I want to see the team play together and then let’s judge the team when they play together. Then, after that, no problem. Judge us then.
“I understand the situation we are in now is really tough. It’s not an excuse but let’s judge the team when they play together. “